4: Gospel of Judas Flashcards
Who was Judas Iscariot according to Christian Tradition?
In the Christian tradition, Judas is the betrayer of Jesus and a traitor to the cause
Greedy, unfaithful, thief, influenced by satan
He is despised throughout the Western world, portrayed as a villain
In Dante’s Inferno, Judas is condemned to the lowest pits of hell where his head is eaten by Lucifer
Who was Judas Iscariot according to the New Testament?
In the Canonical Gospels Judas is responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus
We know few facts about him
He is one of the 12 Apostles
“Judas Iscariot” is the full descriptive name of the apostle member of the 12 that we know as Judas
“Iscariot” distinguishes him from the other apostle that had the name Jude/Judas
Judas Iscariot is known in the 4 canonical gospels as the one “who betrayed Christ”
The English description “betrayed” is a common way of translating the Greek word “paradidonai” (“to hand over”)
Paul (the earliest writer in the NT) does not explicitly say anything about a “betrayal” although he mentions that Jesus was “handed over” (1 Cor 11:23)
John comments through that he was a thief (John 12)
The Gospel of John hates Judas, much more than the other Gospels
In the Last Supper, he is seated close to Jesus so much so that Jesus can dip a morsel of bread and give it to him (John 13)
Judas Iscariot: Traditional Theory vs. New Theory
Traditional Theory: There was a Judas, and Christians began to express their feelings toward Judas onto Jews too.
New Theory: Did Christ believing Christians begin to think very negatively about Jews and express it by creating the character named “Judas?”
Possible meanings of “Iscariot”
Some suggestions about the name “Iscariot” are:
“Man (Heb. ish) of Karioth”
“The Assassin” (from Greek: “sicarios” = “dagger”)
Man from Issachar
If the first meaning is correct, Judas would have been the only apostle from Judaea. The rest were from Galilee.
Different theories re. why Judas probably betrayed Jesus
Why did Judas betray Jesus?
- Certainty about Jesus’ Death
Mark 14: He did it when he was certain Jesus planned to die - For the Money
Matthew 26: He did it for the money - To Help Jesus
He did it to to help Jesus fulfill his purpose of dying (the Gospel of Judas supports this)
BUT this conflicts with Mark 14: But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.
How did Judas die? (2 main descriptions in the New Testament)
- Matthew 27: Judas Repents and Despairs
After the Betrayal, Judas is overcome with remorse and tries to undo what he had set in motion. When that could not be done, he hangs himself. Matthew’s Story is given prominence in tradition. Most popular version of the story. Judas hanging from a tree is an iconic symbol in movies - Acts 1: A Different Story
Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
Does Judas’ suicide match the story in Acts 1:18-19? Which is more probable?
How can we evaluate the Judas story (in the NT) historically?
Judas as Historical
Criterion of Embarrassment
On the one hand, some point out that the story of Judas has to be historical because it fits the criterion of “embarrassment” …
Judas is an embarrassment to the earliest band of Christians. He was one of the 12, in a very privileged position, and stabs Jesus in the back. This became common knowledge to the people, and so they had to include and write about this fact The early Christians would have tried to conceal such an embarrassing episode. However, since it was so well known, they could not help but include the embarrassing story in the gospel.
Peter’s denial of Christ is another act that passes the criterion of embarrassment
On the other hand: there are some questions…
Why doesn’t Paul mention a betrayal by Judas in 1 Corinthians (which is the earliest written account we have that alludes to this event). He just says that Jesus was “handed over”
Why does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 15 (written in the 50s) that: Jesus appeared to Peter, then to the “twelve”? Matthew later (80s) has this version: Jesus appeared to the “eleven” (Matthew 28).
Do these discrepancies match with the story told by Luke in Acts 1 (in which Judas’ replacement is chosen after Jesus ascends to heaven?)
How can we evaluate the Judas story (in the NT) historically?
Judas as Fictional
“Judas”: Just a Symbol of the “Jews”
Some people consider the Judas story to be fictitious (e.g. John Shelby Spong: Liberating the Gospels). He suggests that the figure of Judas is just a symbol of the unbelieving betrayal of God’s purpose by the Jews
This is why Judas’ name sound similar to “Jews.” “Judas” is the Greek form of the common Hebrew name “Judah” (meaning “praised”).
Some scholars of the New Testament suggest that the name “Judas” was intended as an attack on the Judaeans or on the Judaean religions.
Linguistics Even linguistics show that Judas and Jews are closely related: English: Judas - Jewry - Jews Greek: Loudas - Loudaia - Loudaioi Latin: Judas - Judea - Judaei German: Judas - Judaa - Juden Spanish:Judas - Judea - Judios French: Judas - Judee - Jufis
How is the figure of Judas linked to anti-Semitism?
Some people consider the Judas story to be fictitious
John Shelby Spong: Liberating the Gospels: suggests that the figure of Judas is just a symbol of the unbelieving betrayal of God’s purpose by the Jews
This is why Judas’ name sound similar to “Jews.” “Judas” is the Greek form of the common Hebrew name “Judah” (meaning “praised”). Some scholars of the New Testament suggest that the name “Judas” was intended as an attack on the Judaeans or on the Judaean religions.
The death of Jesus was blamed on the Jews, and this is exemplified through the story of Judas, Judas’ name sounds like Jews/Jewish.
The general structure of the gospel of Judas
Incipit (Beginning Formula)
Very Brief Account of Jesus’ Ministry
A Series of Encounters and Conversations between Jesus and the disciples (particularly Judas)
Judas hands over Jesus to Jewish authorities
Be familiar with Kato’s theory of why Judas betrayed Jesus – link with apocalyptic thought. Be prepared to evaluate it critically.**
The dilemma which the NT texts pose is that Judas is clearly a disciples of Jesus from early on. He enjoyed the trust of Jesus and the respect and confidence of the group. But at the end, he betrays Jesus.
The paltry sum for which he allegedly “betrays” Jesus is hardly an adequate motive to account for the action. (30 pieces of silver is the sum to be paid in the Hebrew Bible for a slave that has been gored by an ox).
Hypothesis: Judas betrayed Jesus because everyone wanted the Kingdom of God to come. Judas was one of those people that was asking, when is the Kingdom of God going to come in a dramatic way. Jesus does not want to be a political Messiah and Judas is disappointed.
As time goes on, Jesus makes reference to himself being killed. Judas wants to bring about the Kingdom of God by betraying Jesus. Jesus will be “against a brick wall” and be forced to bring about the Kingdom of God. By betraying Jesus, he will force Jesus to call on God to send in the Kingdom of God in dramatic force. This was a very plausible scenario in the first century. Judas honestly thinks that by forcing Jesus to act and pray to the Father, that will be good for all.
What is the significance of: The mention of a “secret account of revelation” at the beginning of the gospel?
Judas includes a series of encounters and conversations between Jesus and the disciples (particularly Judas). Jesus takes Judas aside to teach him mysterious truths.
Note: gnostics loved “mysterious truths”
Jesus claims that Judas will become prominent because of his crucial mission (hand Jesus over to Jewish authorities)
What is the significance of: The account of Jesus’ ministry being very short in the gospel of Judas?
This Gospel has some kind of narrative structure but there is no passion, death and resurrection account. GNOSIS (Secret Revelations) is more important. According to the gnostic conviction that the flesh is evil, Judas performs a valuable action.
What is the significance of: Jesus’ laughter?
One day he was with his disciples in Judea, and he found them gathered together and
seated in pious observance. When he [approached] his disciples, [34] gathered together
and seated and offering a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread, [he] laughed.
The disciples said to [him], “Master, why are you laughing at [our] prayer of thanksgiving? We have done what is right.”
He answered and said to them, “I am not laughing at you. are not doing this because of your own will but because it is through this that your god [will be] praised.”
They said, “Master, you are […] the son of our god.”
They said, “Master, you are […] the son of our god.”
Jesus said to them, “How do you know me? Truly [I] say to you, no generation of the
people that are among you will know me.”
Why does Jesus laugh?
The God who provides bread
Bread is a material thing; the Demiurge has created it
The disciples praise the Demiurge and not the one true God
What is the significance of: Jesus being able to change form (in this gospel, to a child)?
Often he did not appear to his disciples as himself, but he was found among them as a child.
This seems to be suggesting Jesus is polymorphous (able to change form)
Jesus is not really there, because you cannot assume bodily flesh, since that was evil for the Gnostics.
